Child with autism or just slow ?

[Graceymayx]

I have a nearly 18 month old who was born at 37 +4 he says daaaaaa that’s like the only thing he says use to say maaaaa and nnnnn but that’s gone, he dosent point to anything either, and isn’t walking but started crawling at about 6/7 months ! Please if anyone can help would be greatly appreciated ! Also sits for ages playing with trains if this helps ?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

It's not unusual to not be talking at 18 months OP. Talking Point is a really useful site. It has a 18 month progress checker and if you have a nosey around on there, you'll find some activities to do with him to improve speech.

As for the ASD, is it the lack of pointing that's causing you to think this? Could it be that he needs glasses? My DD barely pointed but it turned out she had really bad eyesight

If you are worried about the possibility of ASD, you could do the m-Chat and based on the score, decide whether it's worth booking an appointment with your GP to ask for a referral for an assessment.

[AladdinMum]

I think you have valid concerns, the late pointing together with the late walking and very few words is concerning, specially as they are all happening together.... like the previous poster said, I would do the mchat online and see how he scores, autism is just one possibility, there could be other things going on here (impairments in sight or hearing for example)

[Mummy0ftwo12]

Could be fine but on the later side, could be autism, could be GDD could be something else - you need a GP referral to a paediatrician

[magicroundabouts]

I agree with pp, you need a referral for assessment with a paediatrician. Particularly as you say your son has lost sounds, that should always be looked into. GP will be able to refer. Ask for hearing to be checked as well.

[Graceymayx]

Their going to be waiting till his 2 as he has good eye contact :/

[buttertoff33]

is it just the talking or does he also not understand at an age appropriate level?

I would start with a hearing test as this is one of the things they always like to rule out anyways.

as for eye contact - eye contact or the lack of is not a diagnostic criterium for Asd. My Dd has severe Asd and great eye contact - it's not that uncommon at all. I would go back and insist on referral.

[AladdinMum]

I am not surprised by their response, here in the UK they tend to have a "wait-and-see" approach until 3 years old. I am surprised by the comment about eye contact (typical GP response I guess), as simple anecdotal evidence by just reading these forums (and perfect example by previous poster) shows that infants with autism can and do, in many cases, have excellent eye contact.

However, with an adjusted age of 17M, while on the late side, he is still within normal range for pointing and can still catch up in the coming month. Encourage him to point by keeping things (that he likes) out of reach, and by you pointing to everything in the house (say 'look' and point, he should hopefully be able to follow your point). Normally they will start pointing to interesting things in the distance (like a plane in the sky) first, followed by pointing to request about two weeks after that. However, before they point they need to be able to follow you point. Once they realise the communicative power of pointing they will point in excess of 50+ a day! If he does not point BOTH to share and request by 20M certainly demand a referral as large studies have shown that an infant not pointing by 20M nearly always means autism.

In the mean time keep an eye for any stereotypical behaviour like unnatural preoccupations with lining/stacking/spinning objects, odd eye or finger movements, excessive negative reaction to change (fixed on routine), scared of everyday noises, food sensitivities (gagging on certain foods), inappropriate use of toys, lack of imaginative play (i.e. feeding his teddies, wearing a box in his head as a hat, etc), lack of interest in other children (like if they were invisible, only attracted to adults), deficits in joint attention (lack of a 3-point gaze when playing with him) and absent social referencing (looks at you when something unexpected happens, like the door bell rings).

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Did you do the m-Chat test before you went for the appointment OP?

[Graceymayx]

Hello,
No I didn’t do m chat before we went to doctors the other other day but I did do the test possible signs of autism ! 😢 I’ve managed to get some videos to be able to show hv when she comes ! He’s still not pointing or talking 😢 but according to my childminder he is a happy child, but apprently he talks :/ which I thinks aloadah rubbish as me and my driver had tried to get him to talk what she says he has said to no relief of him saying it :( all about making your child good with childminder even if it is a lie

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I think of the m-chat says it's possibly autism, I'd book back in which the GP.

Show the GP the m-Chat test results and insist on a referral for an assessment. You might have to gently insist

[Mummy0ftwo12]

it still might not be autism, my little one lost sounds (they were never established e.g. only happened once or twice) and didn't point until 2.5 or say any words until 3, he has had autism ruled out by ADOS and a multi disciplinary assessment erm thingy, and has speech and language delay.

We saw a paediatrician at 2.3 and starting seeing a private speech therapist who specialised in pre-schoolers, within two sessions he started pointing.

The special needs board here is good :-)

[AladdinMum]

@Mummy0ftwo12 - is your son diagnosed with anything? as what you describe is very atypical development, I have never seen a child not point by 2.5 and not had an underlying development or physical condition that impaired them from doing so much earlier. How old is he now? and how is he doing?

[Graceymayx]

He’s 18 months he’s still not really talking still not walking properly

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

He’s 18 months he’s still not really talking still not walking properly. Are you going back to the GP?

[thebabysmellsofpooagain]

I've been wondering the same thing about my DC if I'm honest. At 19 months they can walk, and does babble a bit, used to say mumumumum but now refuses but will say dadadadada. Does like to spin on the spot and shake head until becomes dizzy. Have an appointment for audiology tomorrow so will bring this up then.

Have done the m-cat and got a score of 8, along with the 18 month check thing someone else suggested and it does look like there may be an issue of some description, just not sure what! Some of the questions were quite ambiguous I thought, not as simple as a straight yes or no!

Hope you get some answers OP!

[magicroundabouts]

Have a look and see if they have drop in SALT clinics in your area or if they accept self-referrals. I’d go to the GP again, but if you still have no luck it is another avenue to try. SALT can refer for assessment as well.

[AladdinMum]

@thebabysmellsofpooagain a score of 8 on the MCHAT is high - they recommend that any child scoring more than 2 should be immediately refereed for an autism evaluation. What questions is he failing in? as some questions can be a bit tricky to interpret (for example, there is a question that asks if he is interested in other children. Just looking at other children in the park would be enough to pass that question.)

[thebabysmellsofpooagain]

@AladdinMum ah, ok. I've obviously taken the questions a bit to literally. I'll try again and see how it comes out. I'm seeing the HV tomorrow anyway so will bring it up with her.

[thebabysmellsofpooagain]

@AladdinMum I've done it again and got 5! 😢

[thebabysmellsofpooagain]

@AladdinMum so, the audiologists have referred DC to ENT as the scores were not as they should be.

I raised my other concerns and was advised to get the health visitor and gp involved to rule out/check out my concerns. I have a gp appointment but not for another 4 weeks and am waiting for the hv to call.

Sorry OP, not trying to hijack your thread just though the info could be of some use to you in some way xx

[AladdinMum]

Being refered to ENT is always the first step, to rule out any hearing issues. The GP will "eventually" referer you to a development paediatrician where a proper assessment can take place if needed or at least have a serious discussion about your concerns with someone that will actually understand (and potentially even go through the mchat with you to make sure that all questions were answered in the correct way). Please do keep us up to date! :)

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Please do keep us up to date! I'd like that too

[Graceymayx]

He’s now 18 month old 😂 still not pointing, doctors said to go back when 2, I’ve expressed concern with childminder to which she is adamit he’s fine and cause he said bbbbbb he’s speach is normal he said it once their she will never hear it again, one min says he’s delAyed 2 hours after he’s fine meeting milestones 🤨 still not doing anything going to wait till his 2 as can be taken serious then, plus he will be starting nursery and their really good at picking up on things !

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Thanks for updating. Did you ever get his eyes checked?

[Graceymayx]

Nope unfortunately they look fine I’m going to wait till his 2 see if he catches up or not but will be posting updates and and when new things happen ! We’re starting sign language next week with him and see if he picks up !